Dear Cancer Grace,
I was diagnosed in 2009 with stage IV bronchioalveolar carcinoma (BAC), a subtype of adenocarcinoma, which had spread in my both lungs. Later I was found to have EGFR Exon 20 mutation. I have had appr. 70 rounds of chemo during these years. During treatment breaks my disease has progressed.
Recently a professor of pulmonology said that I have probably been misdiagnosed, because my disease has not metastasized in other parts of my body than my lungs. The professor had googled and she thinks I have a benign adenoma. I would not believe that anyone can seriously make a new diagnosis by google, but this professor is highly recognized and influential.
Would it be theoretically possible that my diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (BAC) which was made by a needly biopsy, could in reality be an adenoma?
I understand if it is not possible to answer my question.
Thank you in advance,
Paulina
Reply # - October 27, 2019, 12:05 PM
Adenocarcinoma or adenoma?
GRACE Community Outreach Team
Hi Paulina,
Given that you had a biopsy and that the BAC appeared in both lungs, a misdiagnosis of this sort is unlikely. As you already know, BAC can progress very slowly, and often does not spread outside the lungs.
With all due respect to the eminence of this doctor, he is a pulmonologist not an oncologist, and certainly not an expert in BAC. If you have any doubts about your original diagnosis, I would discuss them with your oncologist, who has access to all of the information from the biopsy. You might also consider a second opinion, although I think it is likely that your current oncologist will be able to adequately resolve your doubts.
Jim C Forum Moderator
In reply to Adenocarcinoma or adenoma? by Jim C GRACE Co…
Reply # - October 28, 2019, 05:08 AM
Adenocarcinoma or adenoma?
Thank you Jim,
I think exactly the same way. Although the term bronchioalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is not used any more, there are still people like me, whose lung cancer spreads within the lungs.
I will have my doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks, so I'll have a chance to discuss with my own doctor. I just wanted to know if there have been cases of misdiagnosis between adenocarcinoma and adenoma. The confusion may be due to not using the term BAC any more.
Thank you so much for being there to answer and thank you also for the informative website!
Best wishes,
Paulina